Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17730, Elihu Dodge, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Down-
Wodge, Elisha Lucretia
W 17730
CONTENTS

Elmer Dodge March 31. 1818
Admitted
29 June 82 - 3 years - Corp.
S. V. H. 17 June 83 —

2
To Calvin Goddard Esq. one of the Judges of the Superior Court in the State of Connecticut -
The Petition of Elisha Dodge a resident citizen of the Town of Colchester in New-London County & State of Connecticut - Sheweth That he serv d more than nine months in the War of the Revolution upon the continental establishment as a Private Soldier in commission d Officer - That he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in life in need of assistance from his Country for his support - That he hereby relinquishes all claim to any pension under any Law of the United States excepting under an act entitled an act to provide for certain persons engag d in the land & naval services of the United States & to entertain his claim to a pen- sion under that Act he makes this application - dated at Colchester this 31 st day of March A D 1818 Elisha Dodge State of Connecticut New-London County ss -
Be it remembered That on the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred & eighteen before me Calvin Goddard one of the Judges of the Superior Court in the State of Connecticut personally came Elisha Dodge aforesaid & made oath to the truth of the following declaration by him subscrib d . In - That he entered into the Army of the United States in the War of the Revolution upon the continental establishment in the year 1780 under the Command of Capt. Wm Richard in Col. Sherman Reg t for the term of three years and serv d his time out faithfully against the common enemy at West Point Red Bank Red Bank - on the North River, and on the 28 th Oct. 1783

Rec d an honorable discharge at Westpoint from under the hand of Maj Genl Knapp which he has now in his possession — and in addition has in his possession a Sergeant Warrant from under the hand of Herman Swift then Col o to the Reg t he was in; dated Aug t 1 st 1783 — which is a Subitiga That he has
never received any pension under any Law, and that by reason of his redue d circumstances in life is in need of assistance of his Country for his support He humbly submits his warrant as sergeant & a certified discharge — Elihu Dodge Connecticut's March 31. 1818 becomes entitled before Calvin Goodard Judge of Sup o Ct John A Watson or Bath declare that I knew
the above nam d Elihu Dodge in the Revolutionary War — & firmly believe that he was according to his affidavit, I also know him to be poor —
John A Watson John A Watson I seem before me this 31 st day of March 1818 Calvin Goodard Judge of Sup o Ct

I Calvin Goddard Judge as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Elihu Dodge did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the direction of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Dated at Norwich - State of Connecticut 31 st day of March A.D 1818.
Calvin Goddard Judge of Probate
By Major General Knox, commanding the Garrison of West-point, and its dependences
Elihu Dodge, corporal in the Connecticut regiment - being enlisted for three years, is hereby honorably discharged the service of the United States
Given at West-point, this 28 October 1783. H. Knox M c Lean
By the Generals Command J. Lillie Aide de Camp. Registered in the Regimental Book J. Lillie

Connecticut 3461
Sucratia Dodge widow of Elisha Dodge, Conn, who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar. '18 and who died on the 26 th November 1836 of N. London in the State of Connecticut who was a P. in the Company commanded by Captain Reilard of the Regt. commanded by Sherman in the Conn line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of July '39, and extended by J. C. Palmer E. Haddam, Ct
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $ 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00 $ 280.00
{ Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 - Page 175.

657 Connecticut
Ebenezer Dodge
Corporal Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 — Dollars per month, to commence the 31 st of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th of May 1818 and sent to the Pensioner, care of Calvin Goddard Esq. & Judge Norwich, Connecticut
Arrearages to 4 Sep r 1818. $41. 32 5 also 5 dy, $41. 32
{Revolutionary claims, {Act 18th March, 1818,}
.80 Three Years
Continued
Colchester, New London Co
Notification sent September 9 th 1820 to James Hildreth, Norwich, Connecticut

Eliza Dodge 617
Jan.
Con.
Sept. 10/10
Yours sincerely the Clerk of the High Court in & for the City of Norwich

District of Connecticut ss: City Court for the City of Nor- wich New London County.
On this 14 th day of August (1820) personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the said City, in point of amount of unlimited jurisdic- tion & proceeding according to the course of common Law
Ebenezer Dodge aged sixty four years, resident in Salem in said County who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows. In a Regiment commanded by Col. Heman Swift, in a com- pany commanded by Capt. Elias Stillman when discharged, but enlisted into a regiment commanded by Col. Sherman, in Capt. Richards company Connecticut line. That I made my original declaration of service on the 31 st day of March 1818. & obtained a certificate for a pension N o 417.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of United States on the 18 th day of

March 1818 & that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled
"An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Marine service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. & that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed.
That my family consists of a wife,
Lucetta aged fifty eight years & a
Son Benjamin aged sixteen years, who is & always was will be a cripple.
That I have been by occupation a mason but owing to a rupture in my body am unable to pursue it. that the following is a schedule of all my property viz:
Equity of redemption in 20 acres of very poor land with a small house thereon of the value of $15

One cov. $16. House hold furniture necessary bedding excepted, all old, consisting of 16 chairs, 1 table, 1 kettle, 1 pot, 1/2 doz knives & forks, one Desk. all of the value of $110.
John Dodge
I swear to the value stated on the 10 th day of August 1820. in open court before the Judges thereof.
Attest
James Shannon Clerk

State of Connecticut County of New London ss Probate District of Colchester - On this 21 st day of September A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Eight Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester being a Court of Record Lucia Dodge a resident of the Town of Salem and County of New London and State of Connecticut aged Seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Elisha Dodge who was a Corporal in the war of the Revolution and served therein for a period of three years or more after the opening of the year 1775. and also served at New London and other places the particulars of which service she does not know, for which service said Elisha Dodge received a pension under the Act of Congress of March 18. 1818 of Ninety six Dollars per annum, which was granted in the year 1818, and reference is had to his application and the proofs thereto annexed for a description of his service and in support of her claim - She further declares that she was married to said Elisha Dodge in the month of May in the year Seventeen Hundred Ninety Two, about the twentieth day as she thinks but she can't tell the day, that she was married on Sunday evening by David Kelbourn then a Justice of the Peace for New London County at his dwelling House in Colchester where she had resided for about two years previous to her marriage - That she knows of no record of her marriage and of no person living who was present except Samuel A. Kelbourn who now lives somewhere in the State of New York - That her husband the aforesaid Elisha Dodge died at Salem on the 26 th day of November Eighteen Hundred and thirty, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Eighteen Hundred and Ninety Four viz at the time above stated -
Lucia Dodge

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that Luintha Dodge who hath subscribed the name is personally known to me and is a credible person and her statements may be relied on -
Frederic Morgan, Judge

Salem Sep the 18 th 1819
Elihu Dudge was born
Aug the 22. 1756
Lucretia Rogers was
Born March the 18. 1761.
Saman was born the May 15 1778
Mary was born october the 8, 1784
harriet was born Elihu was born July the 1, 1789
Jemissa was born April the 21, 1794
Amos was born February the 2 1795
was born June the 15, 1788
Champen R D was born sep the 2 1800
Benjamin F was born october the 22 1800

Died at Calchester Mrs. Abigail Jones 15th Brithley June 15th 1807 Aged 56 years

L. W. B. W. 17730. Am
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
October 25, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Elihu Dodge, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on March 31, 1818, at which time he was 64 years of age and residing at Colchester, Conn., (afterwards resided at Salem, Conn.) and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private and corporal in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Stillwell and Col. Swift. He probably enlisted at Colchester, Conn.
His widow, Lucretia, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. G. M. Filer,
Enfield Bridge, Conn.
c/o S. W. Rockwell,
Hazard Place.

Enfield Bridge, Ct. Oct. 15. 1897.
To the
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.,
Dear Sir:
As I am anxious for genealogical purposes to trace the lineage and names of Elisha Dodge who served in the Revolutionary War, and whose name is given among the list of Revolutionary Pensioners in Connecticut, may I ask you to send me his record, if possible the places where he enlisted, and where he lived during the years the pension was paid to him up to the very last; in fact all the information that is given concerning him on your records, if you will be so kind.
As I am not sure what the charges may be, will you please let me know, and I will remit the amount.
I remain
Yours Truly G. M. Filer
c- S. H. Rockwell Hazard Place Enfield, Ct.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17730 Lucretia Dodge Wid. of Elihu Dodge Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 7. 1838
Index:—Vol. A , Page 189
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Oct. 25/97 G. M. Filer Enfield Bridge. Conn

2124 Let to John V. G. Palmer, March 9, 1839.

Mr. James  James  L.  L.  Edwards  Edwards Caretaker of the Smithsonian Institution
1200 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.
July 20-21/24
James L. Edwards Commission of Pension Washington D.C.
J.C. Palmer E. Haddam C.O.

East Haddam Ct. March 13. 1839.
Dr Sir.
Your favor of 9 th Inst is at hand, and in answer I have the honor to state - That you now have the Deposition of the Town Clerk of Guilford when the Marriage of Miss Lewis took place, that no such Marriage appears recorded - There is no record of Baptisms or Marriages preserved in the Parish where the Clergyman who performed the Ceremony was located - There is not and never has been any family record of the family of Francis Lewis - It seems to me that the Declaration of Mrs Lewis, the Deposition of Molly Norton, Judge Amos & John Bramard, in Connexion with the Comptroller Certificate are abundant to establish the fact of identity - Were it not so, we are deprived of obtaining testimony conclusive on this point from Joseph Scovel who was in the same Company and died but a few days since and who is the only person known of the same & now living, by their having been so great delay in examining these papers "in turn" and advising me upon the subject - If upon reconsideration further efforts are deemed necessary in order to obtain this small bounty, I shall most cheerfully make them -
As regard the disallowance of the claim of Mary Francis I have only to express my disappointment, at finding him a deserter and perhaps the matter may be susceptible of explanation He seems to have been a Rover -

As to the case of Lucentia Dodge, I hope you will not consider me importunate in asking a recurrence to her paper - You state - "The proof of the marriage is not as satisfactory as might be expected in support of a fact so general - but susceptible of the higher grade of evidence furnished by the Register of Marriages & births in the Town, Churches, and Families -"
The Deposition of the Keeper of the Town Records you have, could you expect that a marriage ceremony performed by a Justice of the Peace at his private house would be the subject of record in the Books of the Church? I think not, but an examination has been made then by me, and no trace of the marriage found - The whole neighborhood about Mrs Dodge are ready to state that she lived with Dodge from the time she states she was married, to his death, but those who were at the wedding except Kilbourn are dead or in parts unknown - As to a family record, I have taken a leaf from her bible which is all that could be found, made in 1809. This may shed some light on the subject, as Leavitt the oldest child by the claimant was born April 21, 1794, who is now living whose deposition is on file, and who states, if I recollect right that her mother had one or two children before her which died in their infancy.
I forward this record for your inspection -
Since my last I have been informed by Mr Goodwin and Mr Gardner of Hartford that a preference is given to such applications as are confided to a member of Congress over others received at the office at an earlier period, and I am told that several certificates have been obtained on applications thus consigned which were made in the months of January & February

Last month after these applications were on file. It is easy to see the injustice of such a course in the hearing it has in the case of Mrs Lewis who by delay has lost testimony that might have been reasonably obtained. Permit me to ask whether such a practice has obtained and is authorized, in order that I may in future take the benefit of it, if occasion requires —
I remain Your very Obedient Servant J. C. Palmer
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions
Feb 7

Mar. 9.
Dear
Oct 24. Luchton Lodge 2124
Nov 24. 140893 Jan 24. Lewis
Oct 24. 10 40113 Mary Francis
10 40113 33
FREE
James Edwards Commissary of Pensions Washington D.C.

East Haddam Ct. Feb. 6. 1839.
Sir:
I have as yet received no returns from the application of Lucetta Dodge, Sarah Lewis, and Mary Frances for pensions under the Act of July 4 th 1836. & July 7 th 1837. which were forwarded some months since - A Circular is before me acknowledging their receipt & stating "that they will be taken up in their order and acted upon" - I am knowing to Certificates having been granted upon several applications since made, and I fear said application may have been overlooked, or not taken up in their order - It is also intimated that applications are laid aside which are not committed to the care of a Member of Congress to give precedence to such as are placed under the care of such Members - I cannot believe that such a practice has obtained, inasmuch that it manifestly would operate great injustice to applicants not taking that course - The chances of death of applicants & witnesses is the same in each case and it would seem to be just that the first applicant making out his case should first receive his bounty - I hope to hear from the application named soon, as much anxiety is felt by the parties interested - To Hon. J. L. Edwards } I remain Your very Obedient Servant Comm. of Pensions Washington { John B. Palmer

I John C Palmer of East Haddam Middlesex County and State of Connecticut aged Thirty One years Depose and say that I have made diligent search in the Book of Records of Marriages & Births in the parish of Colchester wherein David Kilbourn Esquire formerly resided, in New London County, for a record of the Marriage of Eliza Dodge to Lucretia Rodgers but have not been able to find any record thereof - I also state that I with my own hand tore from a large family Bible in the possession of Lucretia Dodge at that time, the leaf of Records which is hereto annexed - which is all the record or writing pertaining to the family of said Eliza Dodge and Lucretia Dodge which appeared in said Bible -
And further saith not -
John C Palmer
Sworn to and subscribed this thirteenth day of March A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty nine, before me, and I certify that John C Palmer the Deponent is well known to me and is a credible person
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day and year above written -
Elizabeth A Bulkeley Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam

V (2122) Lucretia Dodge Con 3461
act. 7 July 38.
adm'd 2 years pri 80 $
No deduction
Mo. C. Palmer Esq. E. Haddan Con

State of Connecticut. County of New London ss Colchester September 20 th 1838.
I Oloott Worthington of said Colchester aged Twenty Seven years being duly Cautioned upon Oath and sworn before me and say, that I am the Town Clerk of said Town of Colchester and have in my Custody the records of Marriages in said Town and that after a careful exami- -nation of said records, I am not able to find the marriage of Elisha Dodge and Lucentia Rodgers any where extant upon said Records, nor do I believe that the same has been recorded therein — and further saith not — Oloott Worthington Town Clerk
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that said Oloott Worthington is personally known to me as the Town Clerk of said Town and that he is a Credible person. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20 th Day of September A.D. 1838. John B Palmer Notary Public

State of Connecticut, County of New London, p. Colchester September 20 th 1838.
I Lois Isham of said Colchester aged Sixty eight years being duly Cautioned & examined and sworn depon and say that in the year Seventeen Hundred and Ninety One I was acquainted with Elisha Dodge who was a Revolutionary pensioner and who died at Salem some years since, and at the same time I was acquainted with Lucretia Rodgers who then lived with David Kilborn Esq a Justice of the Peace for said New London County. That said Lucretia Rodgers moved me with my first child which was born on the 23 rd day of October A.D. 1791. and to the best of my recollection the the said Lucretia Rodgers was married by said David Kilborn to said Elisha Dodge in the Spring of the year 1792. their marriage was well known to me at the time but I was not present. That said Elisha Dodge and said Lucretia lived to the death of said Elisha in Salem for many years, where said Lucretia now resides and has not intermarried since the decease of the said Elisha but still remains his widow - She further says not - Lois Isham
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that Lois Isham who subscribed the same is known to me and is a credible person In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the day and year aforesaid
John B Palmer Notary Public -

State of Connecticut, County of Middlesex ss East Haddam September 10 th A.D. 1838. I Terrify Olmsted of said East Haddam aged Forty Four years, the 21 st day of April last being duly cautioned examined and sworn depose and say that I am the daughter of Elisha Dodge late of Salem in New London County Connecticut, and was born of his wife Lucretia Dodge who is now living at said Salem - That said Elisha Dodge was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and a pensioner at the rate of eight dollars per month under the act of Congress of March 18, 1818 - That said Elisha, my father, died at said Salem when I was present on the twenty sixth day of November A.D. 1830, and my mother the said Lucretia has remained a widow ever since that date and has not intermarried - I further say that my father and mother many years since told me that their first child was a son and that his name was John and that he died in the course of the day in which he was born - I further state that my father the said Elisha lived in Salem ever since my remembrance until his death except one year when he lived in Springfield Massachusetts -
And further the Deponent saith not -
Terrify Olmsted Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that said Terrify Olmsted who hath subscribed the same is personally known to me, and that she is a credible person
John C Palmer Justice of the Peace

I learned at Chilborn before and say the year seventeen hundred and ninety Lucia Rodgers came to live at my father's and lived there till the spring of seven- -ty seven hundred ninety two, she was then marri- -ed to Elisha Dodge by my father (David Wilborn at his house, he then being a justice of the peace for Sedgwick County - at which time I lived with my father and was about twenty years of age and further this deponent saith not  Samuel A. Wilborn  Subscribed and sworn this 27 th day of August 1838 before me Nathaniel B. Hill justice of the peace
The above named Samuel A. Wilborn is well known by me to reside in the town of Liberty Sulli- van County, N.Y. and I fully believe him to be a credible man.  Nathaniel B. Hill justice of the peace
State of New York } Sullivan County } ss  I, Darius Martin Clerk of Sulli- van County do hereby certify that Nathaniel B. Hill whose name is subscribed to the proof and before whom the above affidavit was taken was at the time of taking such proof a Justice of the peace residing in said County Commissioned and sworn and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe that the signature thereto is genuine.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County this 31 st Day of August 1838  Darius Martin Clerk

State of Connecticut ss Probate District of Colchester I John R Matrons Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester Certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Lucentia Dodge for a pension - That Frederic Morgan is Judge of said Court and his Commission is dated June 20 th 1838 and expires June 20 th 1839, and that the signature to the acknowledg- ment annexed to the Declaration of said Lucentia Dodge is his own proper signature - That John C Palmer is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut, duly Commissioned and that the signatures to the Depositions of Jerripy Olmsted, Lois Johnson, and Elliott Worthington purporting to be his are his own genuine and proper signatures, said Depositions being hereto annexed - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 th day of September A.D. 1838 -
Test.
John R Matrons - Clerk, —